The Chief Judge of Bauchi State, Justice Rabi Talatu Umar, has raised concerns over delays in justice delivery after discovering that some inmates had been kept in custody for years without trial.

During a quarterly case review at the Bauchi Custodial Centre, Justice Umar ordered the release of three inmates who had spent between four and six years behind bars without their cases being heard. They had been accused of serious crimes, including kidnapping, armed robbery, and culpable homicide.

Justice Umar explained that many of these cases could not proceed because prosecutors either failed to appear in court, arrived late, or misplaced vital case files. She described the situation as a violation of fundamental human rights, stressing that suspects should not be left to languish in prison indefinitely.

One of the freed inmates said he was wrongly arrested while working as a market porter during a festival clash.

As part of the two-day exercise, the Chief Judge also visited correctional centres in Darazo, Misau, Azare, Jama’are, and Ningi, where she granted bail to two more inmates.

She urged prosecutors to speed up investigations and present evidence on time, warning that justice should not be denied because of negligence. She further advised the released inmates to live responsibly and contribute positively to society.

The Bauchi State Controller of Correctional Centres, CCS Isa Nuru Mohammed, commended Justice Umar’s efforts and noted that the work of the Administration of Criminal Justice Monitoring Committee (ACJMC) is helping to reduce overcrowding in prisons.

The review exercise is part of ongoing reforms to ensure quicker and fairer access to justice in Bauchi State.